USDA Amends Regulations To Allow Importation Of Fresh Persimmon With Calyxes From Japan

by USDA APHISPosted: Tuesday, September 12, 2017 at 9:37AM EDT

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is publishing a final rule allowing the importation of fresh persimmon with calyxes (a plant part protecting the flower) from Japan.

APHIS scientists prepared a pest risk analysis and determined that commercial shipments of persimmons with calyxes produced under a systems approach can safely be imported into the continental United States. The systems approach includes requirements for packing house registration, orchard monitoring and control of pests, fruit culling, biometric sampling, a phytosanitary certificate with additional declaration, port of entry inspection and traceback. These measures will protect our country against the introduction of plant pests.

This action satisfies our commitment under the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) to allow the importation of plants and plant products subject to the least restrictive measures consistent with ensuring phytosanitary security.

In August 2016, APHIS published a proposed rule to allow the importation of Japanese persimmons with calyxes into the United States. The final rule will become effective on October 12, 2017, 30 days after publication in the Federal Register on September 12. All of the related documents and public comments received may be viewed online through our Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2015-0098.